VPN on Wi-Fi shows Ethernet icon in System Tray

RoseM

Windows 10 Pro 64-bit, 22H2 Build 19045, all updates

Bitdefender Security, v27.0.20.110

Bitdefender VPN, v25.7.0.1

Wi-Fi card: ASUS PCE-AC51, current driver.

Local Area Connection 2: TAP-Windows Adapter V9

Wireless Network Connection 5: ASUS Wireless PCI-E Adapter

Old Wi-Fi Profile: Connects to Wi-Fi router, 3 years, -70 dBm.

New Wi-Fi Profile: Connects to TP-Link RE105 booster, 5 days, -55 dBm.

When I connect with "Old Wi-Fi Profile", the Wi-Fi icon is displayed in the System Tray. VPN ON or OFF does not change the icon.

Go to Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center. With VPN ON, "Old Wi-Fi Profile" is displayed above "Local Area Connection 2" (Wi-Fi icon). With VPN OFF, only "Old Wi-Fi Profile" is displayed (still Wi-Fi icon). This is, probably, the normal and correct way the icon is shown.

Here's the problem:

When I connect with "New Wi-Fi Profile", the Wi-Fi icon is displayed only if VPN is OFF.  As soon as I set VPN ON, the System Tray icon changes to an Ethernet icon. Toggling VPN ON / OFF also toggles the icon.

A clue? Go to Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center. With VPN ON, "Local Area Connection 2" is shown above "New Wi-Fi Profile" (Ethernet icon). With VPN OFF, only "New Wi-Fi Profile" is shown (Wi-Fi icon).

Note: "New Wi-Fi Profile" works with, and without, VPN. But the icon toggles between Ethernet and Wi-Fi.

Note: "Local Area Connection 2" is active only when VPN is ON.

I tried setting the "Local Area Connection 2" and "Wireless Network Connection 5" priorities but they were reset by the system and made no difference.

Anybody have any thoughts or suggestions?

Thanks, RoseM

Flexx

https://community.bitdefender.com/en/discussion/97613/vpn-on-wi-fi-shows-ethernet-icon-in-system-tray

This happens to me also on the system where bitdefender is not installed. It's not related to bitdefender. You should contact microsoft support for this (https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/contactus)

Additional information that I found over the internet related to your query is listed below

1) Try disabling the TAP-Windows Adapter V9. This is a virtual network adapter that is used by many VPN clients, including Bitdefender VPN. It is possible that there is a conflict between the two Wi-Fi adapters and the TAP-Windows adapter. To disable the TAP-Windows adapter, follow these steps:

A) Open Device Manager.

B) Expand the "Network adapters" category.

C) Right-click on the "TAP-Windows Adapter V9" and select "Disable device."

D) Restart your computer.

2) Try uninstalling and reinstalling the Bitdefender VPN client. This may help to resolve any software conflicts that may be causing the issue.

3) Try updating the drivers for your ASUS PCE-AC51 Wi-Fi card. It is possible that there is a bug in the current drivers that is causing the issue. You can download the latest drivers from the ASUS website.

4) Try creating a new Wi-Fi profile for the TP-Link RE105 booster. This may help to resolve any configuration issues that may be causing the issue.

Here are some additional thoughts:

1) It is strange that the Wi-Fi icon changes to an Ethernet icon when you connect to the VPN using the new Wi-Fi profile. This suggests that Windows is treating the VPN connection as a wired connection, even though it is actually a wireless connection.

2) The fact that the TAP-Windows adapter is shown above the new Wi-Fi profile in the Network and Sharing Center when the VPN is ON suggests that Windows may be prioritizing the TAP-Windows adapter over the new Wi-Fi adapter. This could explain why the Wi-Fi icon changes to an Ethernet icon.

As quoted above, if issue persists, you should contact microsoft support for this (https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/contactus)

Regards

RoseM

1) Try disabling the TAP-Windows Adapter V9. This is a virtual network adapter...

Disable TAP: Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center shows only Wi-Fi connection.  Wi-Fi icon is displayed.

Enable TAP: Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center shows both Ethernet (at top position) and Wi-Fi connections.  Ethernet icon is displayed.

2) Try uninstalling and reinstalling the Bitdefender VPN client...

No change.

3) Try updating the drivers for your ASUS PCE-AC51 Wi-Fi card...

Latest driver already installed.

4) Try creating a new Wi-Fi profile for the TP-Link RE105 booster...

No change.

Here are some additional thoughts:

1) It is strange that the Wi-Fi icon changes to an Ethernet icon when you connect to the VPN using the new Wi-Fi profile. This suggests that Windows is treating the VPN connection as a wired connection, even though it is actually a wireless connection.

I came to the same conclusion. I think there must be some communication between Windows/VPN and TP-Link RE105 where the TP-Link RE105 "reports" that it is an Ethernet device.

2) The fact that the TAP-Windows adapter is shown above the new Wi-Fi profile in the Network and Sharing Center when the VPN is ON suggests that Windows may be prioritizing the TAP-Windows adapter over the new Wi-Fi adapter...

Same conclusion I came to.

I have will contact Bitdefender tech support and TP-Link support to see if anybody can help solve this problem.

Thanks for the help.

Flexx

https://community.bitdefender.com/en/discussion/comment/330014#Comment_330014

Kindly contact Bitdefender support by visiting https://www.bitdefender.com/consumer/support/.

Depending on your selected product and the type of issue you're facing, you can reach a support representative via email, chat, or phone.

If you choose email support, you will receive a ticket number in your registered email. Kindly generate and attach the following logs to the ticket:

Generate Bitdefender BDsysLog: https://www.bitdefender.com/consumer/support/answer/1922/

Generate Bitdefender Support Tool Log: https://www.bitdefender.com/consumer/support/answer/1733/

Generate Bitdefender Connectivity Log: https://www.bitdefender.com/consumer/support/answer/9689/

If the generated logs are large, you can upload them to Google Drive or WeTransfer (with a 7-day link validity for free users). Alternatively, you can ask the support team for the Bitdefender Cloud upload link and password.

The support team will respond to the same email within the next 24-48 hours, excluding weekends.

Regards

RoseM

Kindly contact Bitdefender support by visiting https://www.bitdefender.com/consumer/support/.

I already contacted them via email on 10/25/23. Web page ticket #1008744160 or #1008747321 (I forget which one). I have not yet received any emails from support.

I have also contacted TP-Link support. Haven't received anything from them either.

Making progress like a frog walks (jump ahead, wait, jump ahead...).

Thanks, RoseM

RoseM

This will probably be the last post to this thread. I have been in contact with Bitdefender tech support and TP-Link tech support. Here is what I found:

TP-Link: They have never had this problem reported before and had no solution.

Bitdefender: The VPN is operating correctly.

The net result is "it is what it is, live with it". My internet access is not affected so I'll live with it.

RoseM